ASSINIBOIA DOWNS
The Inside Track | Issue #36 | July 15, 2022
  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
  • VLTs, Race Carrels and Tables are sanitized between customer use.
In this edition . . .
  • What's happening at the Downs?
  • Manitoba Derby Day
  • Wacky Week of Racing - Purse Increase!
  • Snapshot in Time - Johnny Longden
  • Partner Locations
  • Photo of the Week - Summer Moon
  • World's Best Racehorse
  • Saratoga Opens
  • Carryover Watch
  • Bob: Light Dust Best Ever
  • Upcoming Events
Do the Downs!
SPIN TO WIN THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS IN THE CLUB WEST GAMING LOUNGE - Enter at the VLT cage every Thursday and Friday for a chance to spin the wheel for up to $100 cash! Draws will be made every 30 minutes starting at noon.
MONDAY MADNESS - 3% cash back on all eligible racing on Monday, July 4, 11, 18 & 25. Minimum wagered $100 (per Monday). Maximum deposit $25 on eligible wagering each Monday. Wagers must be placed on HPIbet.com account to qualify. ($2.10 payoffs not included). Promotion deposit will be made on Wednesdays.

DEL MAR OPENING DAY BONUS - 4% cash back on all eligible racing from Del Mar on Friday, July 22, 2022. Minimum wagered $100. Maximum deposit $25. Wagers must be placed on HPIbet.com account to qualify. ($2.10 payoffs not included).
FREE ASD PROGRAMS ON PLAYER PORTAL - All the important information you need for Assiniboia Downs live racing is now in one place! Watch the live feed and ASD Live handicapping show in HD. Plus free online ASD programs, free Brisnet pps, jockey bios, expert tips from ASD, Canadian Thoroughbred and Horse Racing Nation. Bookmark this page and check back daily as programs and picks will be added as they are available.
FAN EDUCATION CENTRE - If you’re new to racing make sure to stop by and see Shannon and Brad at the Fan Education Centre on the main level during live racing. They are available from 6 p.m. to the end of racing to answer all your questions. Learn how to make a wager, what the odds mean, how to read the racing program and more! And while you're there, they can help you open a free online HPIbet.com account.
CHASE THE ACE - Play Chase the Ace every live race night. Ace of Diamonds wins the $1,400 jackpot. Other prizes: Either Joker $100, any other card $25. Tickets are $5 and available at Guest Services from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The draw will be made at 9:30 p.m. Proceeds in support of Final Furlong. LGCA-5630-RF-34975.

Final Furlong is a Manitoba-based charity that helps find good homes for retired racehorses and pony horses. Visit them on Facebook @FinalFurlongCanada.
FAMILY FUN! Mondays are Family Fun Days in August beginning on Monday, August 1 (Manitoba Derby Day) and continuing every Monday through to August 29. Free kids activities from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Bouncy castles, face painting and live kids entertainment. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Free admission and free parking.
LAS VEGAS CHALLENGE ONLINE TOURNEY GOES THIS MONDAY! The deadline to enter is tomorrow at 1 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. Entry form. Tournament rules.

PRIZES: 1st Place: Trip for two to Las Vegas *, 2nd Place: $500, 3rd Place: $250

QUALIFY DAILY: Qualify every live race day for a reduced entry fee by picking three winners on the ASD race card. Click here for the current qualifiers.

ENTRY FEE: $50 which you can reduce to zero by predicting three winners on the ASD race cards leading up to the tournament. 

For more information, tournament rules and qualifying days please email Sheri at [email protected].

(* The winner of the tournament will be provided $3,500 to book their trip and accommodations to Las Vegas)
Presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Monday, August 1
Racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

  • $100,000 Manitoba Derby for 3-year olds presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
  • $50,000 Harvey Warner Manitoba Mile for 3-year-olds and upward
  • $50,000 Escape Clause Stakes for Fillies and Mares, 3-year-olds and upward
  • Derby Sweepstakes. Win a $100 win wager on a Derby horse!
  • Family Fun! Bouncy castles, face painting and live entertainment for the kids from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
  • Special Derby history display by Track Historian Bob Gates
  • Free admission & free parking
Race Night Dining
TERRACE DINING ROOM PRIME RIB BUFFET: Enjoy our fabulous all-you-can-eat Prime Rib buffet every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during live racing!
  • Buffet highlights include signature certified Angus prime rib of beef carvery, seafood table featuring jumbo shrimp and salmon, fresh salads and side dishes prepared with locally grown vegetables
  • Rotating entree selections of tender grilled chicken, crispy fried fish, sticky BBQ ribs, roasted meats and artisan sausages
  • Dessert table features warm fresh baked pies and your choice of ice cream plus cheesecakes, tortes and our famous bourbon bacon brownie
  • Complimentary programs and tip sheets
  • The table is yours for the entire evening of racing
  • Adults - $47.95, Seniors (65+) - $44.95, Kids 12 & under - $27.95, Kids 5 & under - $14.95
  • Reservations are required. Call 204-885-3330.

PLAZA DINING: Looking for a more casual dining experience during racing? Tables on the plaza (with a view of the track) are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • Choose from the Clubhouse a la carte Race Night Menu.
  • The table is yours for the entire evening of racing.
  • Minimum charge $20 per person
At The Post with G.S. Thompson
Prayforpeace wins the Derby Trial at ASD. Antonio Whitehall up. (Jason Halstead photo)
Wacky Week of Racing Shows Strength of ASD Brand
NEW purse increase yet another reason to celebrate!
An uncharacteristically wacky three days of racing highlighted the past week at Assiniboia Downs and showed just how tough, resilient and popular the ASD brand has become around the world. And a recently announced purse increase will only make it better. More on that below.

Three $35,000 stakes took place, lightning forced the cancellation of the final race on Monday, a starting gate malfunction in the R. J. Speers Memorial turned that race into a no contest, and there were more foul claims in three days than we’ve had all meeting. Yet fans still bet an average of $905,000 per day and were treated to some fine and adventurous racing.

Henry S. Witt Jr.’s former $80,000 claimer Prayforpeace parlayed a perfect duel-stalking trip into a 6 ½-length victory in the $35,000 Derby Trial on Monday for trainer Jerry Gourneau and jockey Antonio Whitehall, stamping himself as the local to beat in the $100,000 Manitoba Derby on Monday, August 1, although there might be a few who would argue that.

Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, not only did Prayforpeace get a perfect trip from post one, he was also aided at the start when his stablemate Striking Oil veered out from post two and impeded three horses including favourite Great Escape and third choice Clancy’s Pistol. The latter took the worst of the impact and dropped well back early before rallying into third for jockey Rafael Zenteno Jr., who was a very unhappy camper upon his return for unsaddling. Worthy of adding to your horses to watch list.
Itsthattime wires field in R.J. Speers Memorial with Chavion Chow up. (Jason Halstead photo)
On Tuesday, Itsthattime bulleted to the front and lulled the field to sleep in the $35,000 R.J. Speers Memorial, running away late under jockey Chavion Chow to win by seven lengths. But all was not what it seemed. A starting gate malfunction occurred that affected how multiple gates opened and the race was declared a no contest. Regardless, it was an impressive performance by the former $14,000 claimer for trainer Mike Nault and owner True North Thoroughbreds. Can he beat this bunch again with an even start for all? Why not?
Spun Line gives jockey Leonel Camacho-Flores his first local stakes win in Canada Day Stakes. (Jason Halstead photo)
On Wednesday, yet another claimer won a stakes when Spun Line came rallying up the rail under jockey Leonel Camacho-Flores to win the $35,000 Canada Day Stakes. Trained by Jared Brown for owners Ira J. Donald and Kane Kachur, the 6-year-old Hard Spun mare gave Camacho-Flores his first local stakes win. A big congratulations to this mild-mannered, hard-working jockey from Mexico, who should now get more of the live mounts he deserves.

And on the deserves front, how about the new purse increase for the horsepeople! A few highlights of the new increase include Maiden Allowance races, which will now offer a purse of $20,000; Open Allowance races, which will offer a purse of $24,000, and how about $2,500 claimer non-winners in six months, which will now battle for a purse of $10,000! There were also increases in the stakes purses with the minimum "open" stakes race now elevated to $40,000.

Read more here.
Spun Line (#5) between horses on her way to victory in the Canada Day Stakes. (Jason Halstead photo)
A Snapshot in Time
By Track Historian Bob Gates
On June 19, 1961, John Eric Longden, the then "world's leading jockey" made a special presentation to the winner of the "Longden Purse’" on, of course, "Johnny Longden Day" at Assiniboia Downs. The title of Honorary Steward, as well as Honorary Citizen of Winnipeg was bestowed on the man who (at the time) had recorded more victories than any other jockey in the sport. At the time of his visit to the Downs, he had won more than 5,500 races. (ASD Historical photo)
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE TRACK TO WAGER?
Watch and wager at one of our partner locations:

  • Canad Inns Windsor Park - 1034 Elizabeth Road
  • Green Brier Inn - 1611 Main Street
  • Rookies at Central Hotel - 201 Melrose Avenue East
  • Quest Inn - 367 Ellice Avenue
  • McPhillips Station Casino - 484 McPhillips Street
  • Club Regent Casino - 1425 Regent Ave W
  • Nor-Villa Motor Hotel - 1763 Henderson Hwy
  • Wager 24/7 at HPIbet.com

OPENING SOON!
  • Club 3D - 3317 Portage Avenue
Photo of the Week
Gorgeous weather is back in Manitoba and the crowds at ASD are getting bigger every race day! Warm breezes, horse racing and romance under a beautiful summer moon. What could be better that that? Can you say "DATE NIGHT" at the Downs? (Jason Halstead photo)
Do you have an interesting photo you would like showcased in an upcoming newsletter? Email us at [email protected].
In The News
Baaeed’s Royal Ascot Victory Tops Rankings, Flightline Joint Second
Baaeed wins the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. (Megan Ridgwell photo)
Following his victory at Royal Ascot, Baaeed (GB) [128] has improved his rating to 128 from 125 and remains the leader in the fifth edition of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2022. American star Flightline ranks second along with Australia's Nature Strip. More from the Paulick Report here.
Cherished 40-day meet transforms racing into popular spectator sport in New York
Sunrise at Saratoga Race Course. (Blood Horse / Skip Dickstein photo)
For 40 unparalleled days at Saratoga Springs, racing once again becomes a highly popular spectator sport in New York with fans filling the backyard as well as the grandstand and clubhouse seating and dining areas in the afternoon, and even turning out in the morning to view workouts while enjoying breakfast. More from the Blood Horse here.
Carryover Watch
  • Assiniboia Downs (July 18) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover - $319,045
  • Woodbine (July 15) - Jackpot Pick 6 carryover - $145,373
  • Saratoga (July 15) - Pick 6 carryover - $120,365
  • Parx (July 18) - Jackpot Pick 5 carryover - $119,615
  • Woodbine (July 15) - Super Hi-5 Jackpot carryover - $111,327
  • See all carryovers here.

ASD $50,000 PICK 4 GUARANTEE - Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays. The last four races on the card. $1 minimum. The pool is carried over if there is no winner.
Bob's Blog
by ASD Historian Bob Gates

Another oldtimer from the Prairie Racing Circuit has worked his way into Bob's heart. This aged runner even raced at the Downs! Owned by Maxwell King Stables, he is the only horse to win the Western Canada Handicap on three occasions. Click here to learn more about the horse that Bob ‘Boo Boo’ Watt said was the best he ever trained.  
Upcoming events at ASD

  • Live Racing every Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday at 7:30 p.m
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, July 24 - more info
  • Mantioba Derby Night - Monday, August 1 - Post time: 7:30 p.m. Featuring the $100,000 Manitoba Derby presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries plus family fun for the kids. More info.
  • Holi Summer Fest - Saturday, August 6 - more info
  • Manitoba Night Market & Festival - Sunday, August 28 - more info
Feedback
We would love to hear from you! Email your comments and/or suggestions to [email protected].
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